To all motorcycle riders!!!!

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I am Asian, far from a big guy lol. I'm 5'6" (5'7" w/shoes) and 140lbs. And yea man, I'm actually terrified of a motorcycle (in a good way) so I'm taking the necessary steps to make sure I don't die. Life is still pretty for me.
As far as your insurance, that sounds pretty cheap, do you have a good driving record?

Eh, I have a decent record, no major accidents. It was going to be $110 the first year but when they found my speeding ticket (only 1) it jumped to $130 for the year (woopie) but the second year it came back down. To be honest you may be fine with a 250 but I would still recommend the 500, it has the benefit of being a small bike (two cylinder carbureted) so it's very forgiving to learn on but once you get some skill it still has enough power to keep you from outgrowing it too fast. To be honest you will probably never outgrow a bike skill-wise, only speed-wise. Meaning, you will probably never be able to push a bike to it's riding limits because if you could then you would be cleaning up on the race circuit, what will happen is you will get used to the acceleration/speed and want more of that. However, if you're a responsible rider that doesn't care about going over 100mph the 500 might keep you interested longer than you think...

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

I do. I have a 1978 Suzuki GS 750. Has been extended about 6" and lowered a little. I love it. Insurance is only $17 a month.

Sounds like a good deal

This guy use too ride.....

Not anymore

Eh, I have a decent record, no major accidents. It was going to be $110 the first year but when they found my speeding ticket (only 1) it jumped to $130 for the year (woopie) but the second year it came back down. To be honest you may be fine with a 250 but I would still recommend the 500, it has the benefit of being a small bike (two cylinder carbureted) so it's very forgiving to learn on but once you get some skill it still has enough power to keep you from outgrowing it too fast. To be honest you will probably never outgrow a bike skill-wise, only speed-wise. Meaning, you will probably never be able to push a bike to it's riding limits because if you could then you would be cleaning up on the race circuit, what will happen is you will get used to the acceleration/speed and want more of that. However, if you're a responsible rider that doesn't care about going over 100mph the 500 might keep you interested longer than you think...

Hmm...i'll have to consider it. I'll have a better idea after I take this MSF course since they use a 250cc bike, what i've heard

 

[Chipmunk2k3 10+ year member]

Get a 600 and be happy. I started on a 600 and owned various 600's for 8 years. I'm 6ft and 230lbs. You already said the magic words "i'm scared of motorcycles" I translate that into respect for the motorcycle. That's the most important thing. As said already if you get a 250 you'll want to upgrade in a few months.

I'm finally upgrading to a bigger bike after 8 yrs of riding and its only because I want a cruiser so I'm getting a 1800 Suzuki boulevard

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Get a 600 and be happy. I started on a 600 and owned various 600's for 8 years. I'm 6ft and 230lbs. You already said the magic words "i'm scared of motorcycles" I translate that into respect for the motorcycle. That's the most important thing. As said already if you get a 250 you'll want to upgrade in a few months.
I'm finally upgrading to a bigger bike after 8 yrs of riding and its only because I want a cruiser so I'm getting a 1800 Suzuki boulevard

You've got 90 pounds on him, that's like a small person riding around with you at all times, I think even a 250 will keep him satisfied more than a few months //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like a good deal
Not anymore

Hmm...i'll have to consider it. I'll have a better idea after I take this MSF course since they use a 250cc bike, what i've heard

I'm not trying to convince you to buy a 500 man, if you want to go for a 250 then do it, it's also a great bike and the newer model ones are slick looking. They also keep their value pretty well (I'm talking buying/selling used, idk about new) so if you buy used you won't have to worry about losing a bunch of money if you need to sell the bike.

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

When I bought my first bike....never rode a dirtbike or fack all before.....I got a 2004 CBR 1000rr right off the showroom floor. Took me a week of riding around like a 90 yr old grandma to get the hang of it....then off to the races we were.

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

oh, you "should" always wear a helmet of coarse "full face"

i have gloves with carbon knuckles, and get a padded leather jacket.

mine is perferated so i can still wear it when it is 100 degrees out.

icon also makes padded jeans that i always wear. you can see the stunt riders wearing them.

i used to not wear any gear, but after seeing my friend shoot his girlfriend 40 feet into the air because some jack a pulled out in front of him i always wear everythng except boots

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

And gear shouldn't cost you $1000. On a budget you can get decent helmets for ~$100, jacket for $100-200 (cheaper on sale), gloves $30-50. I don't know much about pants or boots because I don't own either but I've seen pants for $100 and I can't imagine boots costing more than $100-$200. Yeah so I'd say $500 for gear isn't a bad budget.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

Get a 600 and be happy. I started on a 600 and owned various 600's for 8 years. I'm 6ft and 230lbs. You already said the magic words "i'm scared of motorcycles" I translate that into respect for the motorcycle. That's the most important thing. As said already if you get a 250 you'll want to upgrade in a few months.
I'm finally upgrading to a bigger bike after 8 yrs of riding and its only because I want a cruiser so I'm getting a 1800 Suzuki boulevard

If the price is right, I would consider getting a 600. However, we will see after the class to see where i'd be comfortable

You've got 90 pounds on him, that's like a small person riding around with you at all times, I think even a 250 will keep him satisfied more than a few months //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Probably. I'm not looking to hit 100mph on the freeway lol

I'm not trying to convince you to buy a 500 man, if you want to go for a 250 then do it, it's also a great bike and the newer model ones are slick looking. They also keep their value pretty well (I'm talking buying/selling used, idk about new) so if you buy used you won't have to worry about losing a bunch of money if you need to sell the bike.

Like i stated, it may come down to price and my preference after the class

When I bought my first bike....never rode a dirtbike or fack all before.....I got a 2004 CBR 1000rr right off the showroom floor. Took me a week of riding around like a 90 yr old grandma to get the hang of it....then off to the races we were.

Races? Pssh...you crazy

oh, you "should" always wear a helmet of coarse "full face"i have gloves with carbon knuckles, and get a padded leather jacket.

mine is perferated so i can still wear it when it is 100 degrees out.

icon also makes padded jeans that i always wear. you can see the stunt riders wearing them.

i used to not wear any gear, but after seeing my friend shoot his girlfriend 40 feet into the air because some jack a pulled out in front of him i always wear everythng except boots

what's the estimate on gear costs? Around $1000?

 

---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------

 

And gear shouldn't cost you $1000. On a budget you can get decent helmets for ~$100, jacket for $100-200 (cheaper on sale), gloves $30-50. I don't know much about pants or boots because I don't own either but I've seen pants for $100 and I can't imagine boots costing more than $100-$200. Yeah so I'd say $500 for gear isn't a bad budget.

awesome. That sounds comforting to me then

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

I'd get a dualsport...something like a ktm 450 or 525. Way different then what you've been asking about, but that's just me. I've been riding dirtbikes since I was little so that's what would be most fun for me

My dad's 450

 

[Team TH (Donny) 10+ year member]

Sounds like a good deal

Here's a picture of the bike only one off my phone, it's not a great pic of bike. It's nothing too special, but I love it.. I have a 1999 Ninja 250 as well I personally hate it, lol.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I'd get a dualsport...something like a ktm 450 or 525. Way different then what you've been asking about, but that's just me. I've been riding dirtbikes since I was little so that's what would be most fun for me

meh, I learned on my old man's dualsport. They're fun for screwing around but they don't make a good everyday street bike IMO.

 

---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:59 PM ----------

 

Here's a picture of the bike only one off my phone, it's not a great pic of bike. It's nothing too special, but I love it.. I have a 1999 Ninja 250 as well I personally hate it, lol.

I like everything except your stretched swingarm...

 

[Team TH (Donny) 10+ year member]

Yeah, that was done by my cuz before he became a professional welder, lol.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

I'd get a dualsport...something like a ktm 450 or 525. Way different then what you've been asking about, but that's just me. I've been riding dirtbikes since I was little so that's what would be most fun for me
My dad's 450

I was thinking about them too. They don't look all that great though lol. Good option to think about though.

Here's a picture of the bike only one off my phone, it's not a great pic of bike. It's nothing too special, but I love it.. I have a 1999 Ninja 250 as well I personally hate it, lol.

hmm...what's wrong with the ninja?

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

meh, I learned on my old man's dualsport. They're fun for screwing around but they don't make a good everyday street bike IMO.

 

I'd ride it daily, just not long distances. Get a padded seat and you're good to go. Fast, light, cheap to maintain